The color of this holiday cocktail is terrifically pretty, and the refreshing combo of basil and tart grapefruit will color your guests impressed. Place a bucket of ice nearby, tuck basil leaves into empty glasses ready to be filled, keep topping off the pitcher, and let everyone help themselves to another glass.

1. Place the sliced basil leaves and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake vigorously to mash the basil leaves into the syrup. Strain the basil-infused simple syrup into a large pitcher filled about a quarter of the way with ice.

2. Add the grapefruit juice and vodka, and stir. Pour the cocktail into glasses. You can use tall glasses and serve the cocktail over ice, or pour it into martini glasses and serve it straight up. Place a basil leaf into each of the glasses to garnish.

Note: To make simple syrup, combine the same amount of boiling water and sugar in a container and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cover and refrigerate for up to 6 weeks. For a couple of pitchers of this cocktail, use 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup boiling water.